Government policy for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in England often focuses on group-based settings such as nurseries (Penn, 2024). However, much childcare takes place within homes and is undertaken by nannies and au pairs. Despite playing a crucial role in supporting families, we, the nannies and au pairs, remain largely absent from policy conversations in the ECEC sector. This invisibility leaves us undervalued, unprotected and, far too often, exploited. In this blog post we urge the government to recognise nannies as early years educators who deserve employment protections and inclusion in childcare policies.

The value of in-home childcare

Nannies are central in shaping home learning environments for children in their care; quality environments in this context have the potential to enhance young children’s early learning (Nutbrown et al., 2022). Formal qualifications are not always required of nannies by employers, but this does not necessarily mean low-quality care. The sector is predominantly made up of migrant women, many of whom are highly educated and bring valuable childcare experience from their home countries (Cox & Busch, 2018). Nannies build strong, personal relationships with children and families, focusing on individual needs, offering physical affection, and excelling in communication and emotional support. Nannies create a nurturing environment that leads to higher parent satisfaction for home-based childcare, compared to group-based options (Papatheodorou & Luff, 2023).

A system that marginalises in-home childcare workers

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants argues that the UK’s ‘hostile environment’ policies in relation to migration prevent migrant workers from accessing some publicly funded services and exclude them from essential labour protections. In-home childcare workers may also be discouraged from formalising their employment or registering with regulatory bodies such as Ofsted. Without proper regulation, they are left vulnerable to exploitation, including sexual harassment, long working hours, non-payment, confiscation of passports and threats of deportation (Moss, 2015).

‘Without proper regulation, [unregistered in-home childcare workers] are left vulnerable to exploitation, including sexual harassment, long working hours, non-payment, confiscation of passports and threats of deportation.’

Nannies and au pairs make up an important part of the childcare sector in England but official data on our workforce remains limited. Only 8,820 nannies are currently registered with Ofsted, the official body responsible for regulating childcare providers in England. Since registration is voluntary, Ofsted itself acknowledges that most nannies are not registered and that the sector is significantly larger than records show. In England, nannies are not considered as childcare professionals by the government and are often classified as low-skilled workers. The precarious status of nannies is reflected in the lack of basic employment protections, such as maximum working hours or safety measures under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Pension rights were granted only in 2016, and after a four-year campaign led by the Nanny Solidarity Network, au pairs and live-in nannies are no longer excluded from the right to a minimum wage.

The path to reform

To address these gaps in ECEC sector policy, the government in England might start with reforms that recognise and support in-home caregivers as essential contributors to early childhood education. Advocacy organisations such as the Nanny Solidarity Network and Voice of Domestic Workers have been instrumental in addressing these issues, campaigning for fair employment protections and amplifying the voices of migrant nannies and au pairs. The Early Education and Childcare Coalition has highlighted the need for more flexible and regulated childcare solutions, but many proposals overlook the unique challenges faced by in-home workers. To create a safer and more equitable childcare system, policies could address the barriers preventing these caregivers from accessing legal employment and protections.

Key policy reforms could include recognition of in-home care as a vital component of early years education, with measures introduced to regulate and protect the sector, ensuring fair working conditions for all caregivers. Furthermore, the Nanny Solidarity Network campaigns for the reform of migration policy so that nannies, who are also migrant workers, have access to legal employment. Such actions could ensure that children and families receive high-quality care, while protecting the rights of caregivers.

References

Cox, R., & Busch, N. (2018). As an equal? Au pairing in the 21st century. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Moss, J. (2015). Migrant domestic workers, the national minimum wage and the ‘family worker’ concept. In R. Cox (Ed.), Au pairs’ lives in global context: sisters or servants? (pp. 70–86). Palgrave Macmillan.

Nutbrown, C., Clough, P., Davies, K., & Hannon, P. (2022). Review of home learning environments for young children. Sage.

Papatheodorou, T., & Luff, P. (2023). Characteristics and qualities of home-based childcare: Exploring the views of trained childminders and nannies. Norland Educare Research Journal, 1(1), article number 8. https://www.norland.ac.uk/journal/8-characteristics-and-qualities-of-home-based-childcare-exploring-the-views-of-trained-childminders-and-nannies/   

Penn, H. (2024). Who needs nurseries? We do! Policy Press.